The San Diego Padres' ongoing quest for a World Series (or at least a playoff title). "You know that many runners enter a race, but only one of them wins the prize. So run to win! Athletes work hard to win a crown that cannot last, but we do it for a crown that will last forever." 1 Corinthians 9:24-25

Latos’ Gem

Last night was a great game. It was exciting and frustrating, but the Padres came out on top. Took a while to get there though…

Mat Latos started, and he was spectacular. By the fifth inning, I was getting really excited. I thought, maybe this is the night. Maybe it’s really going to happen!! Mat retired the first 13 batters before giving up a couple hits in the fifth. Oh well. I thought the Padres were finally going to get a no-hitter, but not yet. Not yet. He went seven innings total, giving up two hits with no walks and four strikeouts. I’d say that this was his best outing of the year. He was soooo good!!

Latos was helped by some incredible defense behind him. Will Venable, Everth Cabrera, and Tony Gwynn made some amazing plays.

In the third, Adrian Gonzalez hit his 34th homer of the season. That was all that either team could muster.

In the bottom of the ninth, Heath was making things interesting again. With one out, he allowed a single and a walk. An out later, he allowed a single to tie the game. Oh bummer. That was Heath’s third blown save of the year. Thankfully, though, he was able to keep the winning run on third and got out of the inning.

Well, the Padres bullpen did OK, but they had to work out of several jams. Heath was the only Padres pitcher who gave up a run last night.

So, the game went on into extra innings. The Padres didn’t get anything going until the 12th inning. Nick Hundley doubled to start it off. Tony Gwynn struck out. Luis Rodriguez walked. E-Cab struck out. Finally, Eck doubled to score Nick and give the Padres the lead. Leave it to Eck to get the job done :)

Edward Mujica threw a scoreless bottom of the 12th to get the save and close the game. We actually won!!!

It was a great game, since we won. BUT our batters struck out 16 times!! That is not good at all.

Latos was amazing, man. I am so excited about his future!! He’s going to get so much better. Wow. Great, great effort by Latos last night!!

I wrote two more fanmail letters yesterday: Heath Bell and Nick Hundley. I’m also going to write a letter to Jake Peavy sometime this week. Oh boy, that’s going to be a long one.

Well, the Padres and the Braves will go at it again tonight. Tim Stauffer and his 1-6 record will be pitching. Ugh. Oh boy. Well, he’d better pitch well. If he doesn’t tonight, I think he’s done. He’s had his chance up here.

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